Fuel scarcity in Abuja, other states caused by Lokoja flooding—NMDPRA

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority , NMDPRA has said that the current fuel scarcity in Abuja and other surrounding states is caused by the inability of fuel trucks to pass through Lokoja roads that have be flooded. The agency, however, assured that there is enough fuel stock and therefore appealed to members of the public to avoid panic buying  as all efforts are being made to resolve fuel shortage in some filling stations in Abuja and its environs. According to a statement from the agency, the Lokoja flooding had affected the distribution of petroleum products to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and environs as water has submerged a greater part of  Lokoja city and grounded all vehicular movements, adding that as part of measures to mitigate the situation, “trucking via alternative routes is currently ongoing.”

The statement further reads in part “the Authority assured the public that there are sufficient petroleum products inland. Consequently, the general public is advised to avoid panic buying at fuel stations as the NMDPRA is working assiduously with relevant stakeholders and government agencies to ensure product availability across the country. In the same context, Marketers are advised to desist from hoarding the product so as not to inflict hardship on Nigerians. The Authority wishes to reiterate its commitment to Nigerians to ensure seamless supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.”

It further reiterated its commitment to Nigerians to ensure the seamless supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide. Some part of Kogi and Benue States have in recent days be flooded due to incessant rain and release of water from the upper Lado dam in Cameroon. This is a yearly occurrence at this time of the year when most dams in Nigeria and neighbouring countries like Cameroon and Niger are over filled with water. This has occasioned yearly release of water from these dams to avoid them breaking their backs.